Gravina speaks at the USSI Seminar: “The FIGC is back at the heart of sport and its relationships with institutions”

The 12th edition of the professional refresher course ‘Football and its protagonists’ began today in Rome, with the event coming to a close tomorrow

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Gravina speaks at the USSI Seminar: “The FIGC is back at the heart of sport and its relationships with institutions”

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina spoke on a range of topics, from the right to report in the world of football to the relationship of the media with clubs, moving on to the organisation of the European Championships in Rome in 2020 and then to his first year at the head of the FIGC. These were the main subjects discussed on the first day of ‘Football and its protagonists’, a professional refresher course promoted by the FIGC and USSI (Unione Stampa Sportiva Italiana or Italian Sports Press Union), with the support of the National Council of the ODG. More than 150 journalists filled the Press Room of the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, the setting of the 12th edition of the event.

In his speech, entitled "The best is yet to come", President Gravina listed the measures put in place in his time in charge, starting with the reform of the Code of Sports Justice before moving on to the new National Licenses, the new protocol in the event of racist chants and then the numerous social responsibility initiatives successfully organised throughout the country. Gravina said: "I’m proud of the work done so far. Our commitment and dedication has allowed the Federation to regain a new centrality in the world of sport, working on those 7 macro-areas that we promised to improve immediately after our establishment. I am not only referring to the adaptation of the regulatory framework or the sustainability of the system, but also to the new federal organisation, the development of women's football and the recent inclusion of the Paralympic Division in the Federation. The FIGC is now a place for all of those who believe in sharing and respecting the rules.”

During the afternoon, before the words of the FIGC President, the organisation of the European Championships next year was discussed in depth, with the tournament beginning on 12 June with Italy vs. Turkey at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The stadium will take on a new look for the occasion with numerous renovation works, all of which was set out to those present by Diego Nepi Molineris, director of marketing and business development for Sport and Health.

In addition to the stadium, the city is preparing to welcome thousands of fans with the help of Daniele Frongia, Rome's Councillor for Sport: "It will be an international event at the highest level, an intense journey that will begin on June 11 with Martin Garrix’s concert at the Fori Imperiali,” stressed Frongia. “We’re working to prepare a majestic fan zone which will span from the Fori Imperiali to Piazza del Popolo and, just as it is for international tennis events we will set up small meeting places for fans on the outskirts of the city.”

Tomorrow the seminar will continue with speeches from Vito Di Gioia, secretary of the FIGC School Youth Sector, Paolo Zeppilli, federal doctor, Andrea Ferretti, representative of the Medical Area of the Club Italia, and a tactical lecture from the National Under 21 coach Paolo Nicolato. The conclusion of the event will be entrusted to FIGC general secretary Marco Brunelli and USSI president Luigi Ferrajolo.